Sogola, Mali-Generations of residents
have watched their children fall ill each rainy season with diarrhea, which
kills an astonishing 1.6 million children under 5 every year, according
to the World Health Organization (WHO)-more than either malaria or AIDS.
It also stunts growth, and forces millions-adults and children alike-to
spend weeks at a time off work or school.

But USAID, the Bill and Melinda Gates
Foundation, and other groups have begun distributing zinc supplements to
villagers in Bangladesh, India, Mali, …

This annual report describes bilateral development cooperation between Norway and 30 of the countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East that received the most assistance in 2007. Norwegian development assistance totalled NOK 21.8 billion in 2007. Of this amount, bilateral assistance (including multi-bilateral assistance) accounted for NOK 15.7 billion.

UNICEF launched in January 2005 its Humanitarian Action Report (HAR) in favour of 33 countries in crisis, including all CAP countries.

The following is an update on the funding situation in each of the HAR countries. The appeal figures are the original HAR appeals, and wherever the HAR appeal has been raised in light of an aggravating emergency situation or crisis, this has been noted in the text. The funding status (1) of these countries should then be seen in light of their increased humanitarian needs.

AFRICA: In eastern Africa, heavy
rains and floods have caused loss of life and destroyed crops and infrastructure
in several countries. However, prospects for current crops have improved.
In southern Africa, cereal import requirements in 2005/06 (excluding South
Africa) are estimated about 30 percent higher than last year due to substantially
reduced harvests in Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe. South Africa, on
the other hand, is estimated to have more than enough exportable surplus
of maize to meet the import needs of the subregion.

AFRICA: In eastern Africa, the food
situation in Eritrea is of serious concern. Successive years of inadequate
rains have seriously undermined crop and livestock production. A below
average harvest is also estimated for Sudan due to conflict and drought.
By contrast, the food situation in Ethiopia has improved as a result of
a good harvest. Kenya's poor second season maize crop will exacerbate
food shortages in parts, while Somalia's good secondary "deyr" harvest
will improve food supplies in main agricultural areas.

The international humanitarian aid system
is facing unprecedented stress. Poor weather and the legacy of conflict
are threatening tens of millions of people, primarily in Africa and Central
Asia. The situation is so grave that Andrew Natsios, Administrator of the
U.S.